AVONDALE SCHOOL DISTRICTQuarter 1

Arizona College and Career Ready Performance Assessment

Reading Informational Text

EIGTH GRADEStudent Copy

Name_____________________________

Date_____________________________

School____________________________

Teacher’s Name: __________________________

Reading:

Comprehension of Key Ideas and Details _____________

Writing:

Ideas Details ___________________

Writing:

Conventions ___________________

Intentionally Left Blank

Task 1: Read the document below and annotate the text for meaning.

The Bill of Rights: A Transcription

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for

obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.

Amendment VII

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Source: http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html

Task 1 Continued: Reading Response Questions

1. After reviewing the Bill of rights, which right helps citizens express their concerns freely?

2. Amendment III reads

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

The word quartered in this sentence means

A. To pay for housing B. To have solider live with them C. Giving a quarter in taxes D. Divide the house into four sections

3. What words helped you answer question 1?

A. In any house B. In a time of peace C. Without the consent of the Owner D. Prescribed by law

4. The Bill of Rights contain rights granted to all citizens, which right allows citizens to question the power of the government; a right George Mason and other anti-federalist wanted to ensure citizens possessed? ___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

Task 2: Read the article below and annotate for meaning.

GEORGE MASON (1725–1792)

In all our associations; in all our agreements let us never lose sight of this fundamental maxim—that all power was originally lodged in, and consequently is derived from, the people. We should wear it as a breastplate, and buckle it on as our armour.

—George Mason, 1775

Dressed in black clothes, the elder statesman from Fairfax rose once again to speak to the members of the Virginia Ratifying Convention. George Mason was widely respected by his fellow delegates as the author of the state constitution and Declaration of Rights. But his staunch opposition to the U.S. Constitution had made him many enemies. Some even questioned his sanity. Mason feared that the new federal government would be too strong and would “annihilate totally the State Governments.” As the sixty-two-year-old champion of liberty began to speak, all eyes were upon him.

Background

George Mason was born to a wealthy landowner in northern Virginia. His father died when George was ten. As a youth, Mason eagerly read many of the books in his uncle’s large library. He became one of the most educated men in Virginia. Mason married at the age of twenty-

five, and he eventually had nine children. His family lived on the great Virginia plantation he called Gunston Hall. About three hundred slaves also lived there. As Mason’s reputation grew, Gunston Hall became a stopping place for political and business leaders.

Defender of American Liberty

George Mason took his place in local politics as a judge and town trustee. He did not like politics, but he believed it was his duty to protect the people’s liberty. This, in his view, was the main role of government. When Virginia’s liberty was threatened, Mason left home to join the battle. As George Washington’s supply officer in the French and Indian War, he fought to protect his state against a foreign power. As a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses, Mason opposed attempts by Parliament to restrict American rights. When these threats passed, he returned to Gunston Hall, content to run his plantation.

In the 1770s, Parliament continued to pass laws attacking American liberty, and Mason responded. He joined the Virginia Committee of Correspondence. This body worked with other colonies to oppose Parliament’s actions through “nonimportation agreements”—boycotts of British goods. Mason helped write the rules for the boycotts in Virginia. But Parliament refused to repeal the acts, instead passing more restrictions. George Mason then joined George Washington in writing the Fairfax Resolves in 1774. This document condemned Parliament’s acts as illegal and a violation of American liberty. Mason gave Virginians a reason to resist British interference in their lives.

Critic of the Constitution

After helping to create the new state government, Mason joined the House of Delegates and supported the war effort. He retired in 1781 due to illness and returned home. During the 1780s, many statesmen came to believe that the Articles of Confederation were a failure. At the age of sixty-two, George Mason was called on and agreed to serve Virginia once more at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. James Madison admired Mason’s dedication to his country and its people: “It could not be more inconvenient to any gentleman to remain

absent from his private affairs, than it was for him.”

Soon, however, Madison and Mason would become enemies. Though Mason agreed that the Articles of Confederation needed to be changed, he feared making the central government too strong. As the convention wore on, he became alarmed by several proposals aimed at reducing the power of the states. Mason believed that the states represented the people better than any national government ever could.

Mason also thought the new Constitution did not go far enough in protecting individual rights and local interests. He feared that the presidency was too powerful. His calls for a bill of rights and for an end to the importation of slaves were rejected. Mason therefore refused to sign the Constitution and spoke out against its approval. This opposition brought to an end his long friendship with George Washington. It also inspired attacks on his mental powers. One supporter of the Constitution accused him of having lost his wits in his old age. To this Mason responded: “Sir, when yours fail, nobody will ever discover it.”

Ratification and the Bill of Rights

Immediately after the convention approved the Constitution, Mason wrote his Objections to This Constitution of Government, which was published by newspapers and in pamphlet form. In this essay, Mason warned that the new federal government would destroy the states. He argued that the Constitution gave “no security” to the “Declarations of Rights in the separate StatesMason was elected to the Virginia Ratifying Convention that met in June 1788. There he joined Patrick Henry in the fight against ratification of the Constitution. Mason warned the members of the ratifying convention that all three branches of the federal government had been given too much power. The “necessary and proper” and “general welfare” clauses would give Congress unlimited power over the states. Mason demanded that the Constitution be changed so as to protect the people’s rights.

Madison, who was also a member of the convention, tried to reassure

Mason and his allies. Madison promised that a list of amendments would be introduced in the first Congress. Based on this pledge, Virginia approved the Constitution. Madison’s twelve amendments were based on Mason’s ideas. Ten of these, known as the Bill of Rights, would be ratified in 1791. But the ten amendments were not enough to satisfy Mason, who wished to see “two or three” more added. Mason retired from public life and returned to his beloved Gunston Hall to live out his few remaining days. Mason died less than a year after the Bill of Rights went into effect.

© The Bill of Rights Institute

George Mason 107

Task 2 Continued: Reading Response Questions

1. What is the main idea of the article George Mason?

A. George Mason is the founding father of the Bill of Rights B. George Mason helped in writing the Constitution C. George Mason was a wealth slave owner D. George Mason helped create the state of Virginia

2. Which detail best supports the answer you chose for question 1?

A. George Mason was born to a wealthy landowner in northern Virginia.B. After helping to create the new state government, Mason joined the

House of Delegates and supported the war effort C. His calls for a bill of rights and for an end to the importation of slaves

were rejectedD. Based on this pledge, Virginia approved the Constitution.

3. According to the article, why did George Mason believe the constitution needed to be ratified? Provide quoted evidence from the text below.

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

4. Due to George Mason’s beliefs, how many amendments were added to the Constitution, and how do these amendments ensure the rights of the citizens? (Hint: you will need to look at both articles.)

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

Task 3 Continued: Brainstorm/Rough Draft

Eighth Grade Literary Analysis Writing Prompt

. After reading the Bill of Rights and reading the article on George Mason, please complete an essay in response to the prompt listed below.

How did the establishment of the Bill of Rights, influenced by George Mason’s beliefs, help to ensure the rights of all citizens?

Your writing should have:

* an introduction.

* body paragraphs that include : examples, clarification, or elaborations

* evidence from text to support ideas.

* a conclusion.

* well-developed thoughts and ideas.

Remember to edit for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization.

Prewriting (Thinking Maps)

Use the prewriting space below for Thinking Maps that will help you in planning your writing.

1. Create a Circle Map to collect evidence from the text that supports the topic.

2. Then choose a different thinking map to continue organizing your information.

Task 3 Continued: WRITING DRAFT

Draft

Write your draft on the following lines. Look back at the writing prompt and your prewriting as you write your draft.

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Go To Next Page……

Task 4: Final Draft

Final Copy

Now you are going to revise your draft. Read your draft. Then use the questions in the Writer’s Checklist as a guide to make changes to your draft. Check each item if you can answer “yes” to that question.

WRITER’S CHECKLIST

___ Did I write a clear introduction?

___ Did I use evidence as support?

___ Does my writing sound right and make sense?

____Did I address the entire prompt?

___ Did I edit for capital letters?

___ Did I edit for correct punctuation?

___ Did I edit for correct spelling?

___ Did I write my essay in paragraph format with an introduction, body, and

conclusion?

Note: If you answered “no” to any portion of the checklist, think about ways to make your writing better.

Go To Next Page……

Final Copy

Now write your final copy on the following two pages.

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

Go To Next Page…

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

STOP!